Tampa is starting Labor Day clear, hot and muggy, but the sunshine comes with a growing chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will climb toward 91 degrees, while the heat index could reach 101 before storms knock readings back into the mid-80s this afternoon.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible before 1 p.m., with additional storm chances continuing through the afternoon. The National Weather Service Tampa Bay office says rainfall totals could reach a quarter- to half-inch in the wettest spots.
Storm Chances Rise Through The Afternoon
Rain chances increase from late morning into the afternoon, peaking near 60% around the middle of the day. West winds should generally stay light at 1 to 7 mph, but thunderstorms may produce sudden gusts, heavy downpours and frequent lightning.
Anyone planning a beach trip, barbecue or outdoor event should keep an eye on the sky and have a nearby indoor option. The steamiest stretch will come before storms move through, so hydration and breaks from the heat will matter even if the morning begins quietly.
Humid Weather Keeps Rolling Through The Week
Tonight will remain unsettled, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible before 1 a.m. under partly cloudy skies and a low near 76 degrees. Tuesday brings another high around 91, a heat index near 100 and a 60% chance of storms, mainly from late morning through the afternoon.
The warm, stormy pattern is expected to continue through the weekend, with highs near 92 degrees from Wednesday through Sunday. The forecast office lists no watches or warnings for Tampa Bay, but lightning and locally gusty winds remain the main hazards in passing storms.
